Moto3: Maverick Vinales injures hand at Jerez

Moto3 title contender Maverick Vinales has been forced to abandon this week's final pre-season test at Jerez, after suffering a hand injury on Wednesday afternoon.

The new Laglisse KTM rider sustained 'loss of tissue in a nail and finger' on his right hand when it became trapped under the bike during a spill.

Vinales headed for further medical checks in Barcelona to determine if surgery will be needed, although the initial prognosis - from scans carried out at the circuit medical centre - is that he will not. UPDATE: Vinales does now look set to undergo surgery.

"On the one side I'm happy because we did a great pace and we have worked hard and well," said Vinales, who had been quickest in the Wednesday morning session, setting what looks like being the fastest lap of the day.

"Everyday I feel more comfortable on the bike and the 'connection' is very good. But the other side was the fall. It was a shame. Now we have to do our best to recover before Qatar."

Vinales will thus miss the final day of testing and look to return to action during first practice for the Losail season-opener on April 4.

"Maverick's injury is a minor setback," said Laglisse team director and former grand prix winner Pablo Nieto. "Everything had been going so positively until now and it is unlucky. But we remain very optimistic, because after the first examination at the circuit the doctors believe he will be able to ride without problems in Qatar."

Teenager Vinales won five races on FTR-Honda machinery in Moto3 last year, despite a dispute with the Blusens team that saw him miss the Malaysian Grand Prix.